Place of Worship

Posted on August 24, 2012 by jesustrek

People have often said that they can worship God anywhere—on the lake, at the golf course, hiking, etc. Since this is true, some reason that they don’t really need to go to church on Sunday and worship with other believers.

I consider myself a strong proponent of church attendance. However, on a recent trip to the beach, I found myself understanding what people experience when they sense God’s presence in nature. As I walked along the beach on a Sunday morning, I worshiped God right where I was. I acknowledged him as the Creator of the universe. I praised him for who he is and what he has done. I really did worship God in spirit and in truth, right there on the beach.

Then I got cleaned up and went to church, just like the Bible says we should do.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”—Hebrews 10:25.

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Not to Harm You

Posted on August 23, 2012 by jesustrek

When our niece was a toddler, we thought she might enjoy a high school girls basketball game. She probably didn’t get as much out of it as I thought she would. I discovered this on the ride home, when she asked, “Why was that man (the referee) chasing those girls?”

She didn’t understand that the referee wasn’t a threat to the welfare of the players. Quite to the contrary, the purpose of the referee is to make sure that the game is played by the rules and to try to keep the players safe from harm.

Some people have an immature picture of God in their minds. They think that his only purpose is to punish people. But to those who follow him, he says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

That’s a much better perspective, don’t you agree?

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Inspiring Leadership

Posted on August 22, 2012 by jesustrek

Felix Hernandez

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez hurled a rare perfect game against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, August 15. His superb effort on the mound had a profound effect on his teammates. Left fielder Trayvon Robinson commented, “I was going to go through a wall for him. I’d jump in the stands. I was going to sacrifice some limbs.”

Leaders can inspire those around them simply by doing their job in an outstanding way.

Jesus had this kind of effect on people. After hearing him teach and watching him minister to those in need, “People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said…” (Mark 7:37).

You don’t have to pitch a perfect game or perform a miracle in order to influence someone in a substantial way. Just do what God has called you to do, and do it well!

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Properly Clothed

Posted on August 21, 2012 by jesustrek

Our church recently had a Team Spirit Sunday. We encouraged our people to wear a jersey that represented their favorite sports team. There was quite a variety of sports represented that day: college basketball, major league baseball, professional football and our local high school teams, to name a few.

The point we were trying to make is that Christianity is a team sport. God designed his kingdom so that we would be working together for maximum impact.

I wore an embroidered shirt that promoted the local high school golf team. If I were to wear that shirt in the community, people might get the idea that I was one of the coaches, or maybe a proud parent of a young golfer. At the very least, one would assume that I was a big fan of the team.

However, the truth is, I have never even seen our golf team play. While looking for something to wear for Team Spirit Sunday, I found the shirt at a discount store and paid $3 for it. Wearing the shirt did not at all make me a supporter of the high school golf team.

The Bible says that it is no small thing to call ourselves “Christians”. Galatians 3:27 says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

“Christian” is not merely a label; it is a lifestyle.

So, are you properly clothed? Or are you walking around in a $3 Jesus shirt?

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Walking Dead

Posted on August 20, 2012 by jesustrek

Scan of Eduardo Leite’s skull

Eduardo Leite, a 24-year-old construction worker in Rio De Janeiro, survived a terrible work-related accident recently when a 6-foot metal bar fell from above and lodged in his skull.

Doctors say that Leite was conscious when he arrived at the hospital and was able to tell them what had happened. It took 5 hours of surgery to successfully remove the bar from his skull.

It is amazing that Leite survived such a horrific accident and that he was able to live with an injury that would normally be fatal.

The Bible says that before we came to faith in Christ, we were spiritually dead. Even though we were conscious and able to talk and walk, we were dead in our transgressions.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world…But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”—Ephesians 2:1-5.

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Painting the Raccoon

Posted on August 18, 2012 by jesustrek

A state road crew in western Pennsylvania recently painted a double yellow line over a dead raccoon. The crew is usually able to remove road kill from the highway before painting, but circumstances prevented that from happening in this case. Photos of the painted raccoon were taken before it could be cleaned up, allowing many people to enjoy a good laugh.

Sometimes churches are guilty of painting over programs, policies and traditions that have died a long time ago. Instead of taking time to clean up the mess, they press on. It’s like they think that if they ignore reality, the problem will go away.

It won’t.

Has your church painted any dead raccoons lately?

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Trading Places

Posted on August 17, 2012 by jesustrek

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

In Suzanne Collins’ novel The Hunger Games, teenager Katniss Everdeen bravely volunteers for a dangerous assignment. She nobly takes the place of her younger sister to compete in a government-mandated competition that will almost assuredly lead to her death.

Katniss’ heroic act is the basis for a story that has become quite popular. The movie based on the book brought in $683.8 million worldwide at the box office.

This tale of sacrificial love also reminds us of a true story—the greatest story ever told–that Jesus willingly volunteered to die in our place.

Romans 5:6-8 says, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

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Genuine

Posted on August 16, 2012 by jesustrek

There is a story told about a man who wanted to play in an orchestra, but he knew nothing about music. However, he was a rich man, so he paid the conductor a lot of money to let him sit on stage with an instrument in his hands. For two years, the man pretended to play, and received the applause and recognition that was lavished upon the real musicians.

Then the orchestra got a new leader. This conductor wanted to get to know all of the musicians, but every time he tried to set up a meeting with the imposter, he was given some type of excuse. Finally the pretender had to face the music. (Pun intended!). He was exposed as a fraud and forced out of the group.

Jesus warns against hypocrisy. He hates it when people pretend to be something that they are not. When he returns, will he find you making music in his kingdom? Or will he find you faking it?

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Up the Creek (Part 2)

Posted on August 15, 2012 by jesustrek

Yesterday I wrote about forgetting to bring a paddle along for a canoe trip. I had to go back to the house and get the paddle before I could go anywhere on the water.

Today I’ll tell you a little more about my forgetfulness on this trip. I had been out on the water for a couple of minutes when it struck me that something was not quite right. Then it dawned on me that I had neglected to put on my life jacket. I had brought it with me, but it wasn’t going to do me any good lying on the bottom of the canoe. Putting on my life jacket made me feel a whole lot safer.

When Peter faltered in his attempt to walk on the water, he had something much better than a life jacket. He had the hand of Jesus reaching down to save him. (Matthew 14:25-31).

Be safe out there!

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”—Acts 4:12.

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Up the Creek

Posted on August 14, 2012 by jesustrek

I recently took up canoeing. About a hundred yards from my house there is a good place to put my canoe in the Ohio River.

A couple of days ago, I was all set to go out on the water. I put the canoe on the caddy I use to wheel it to the river. I had my life jacket with me, along with a cooler filled with drinks and snacks. I was almost to the river before I noticed that I had forgotten something very important—my paddle!

Knowing that I wouldn’t get anywhere without this important piece of equipment, I left the canoe and went back to retrieve the paddle. Only then could I take my trip.

Some people seem to think they can get somewhere without Jesus. However, he says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

Don’t be caught up the creek without Jesus!

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